Underwater Camera Shutter Release Tactility via Gear Ratio Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Underwater camera housings face challenges in providing high tactility for the shutter release mechanism, making it difficult for users to accurately sense the half press point and prevent accidental picture taking due to high output force relative to input force, limited space, and constraints on gear ratios.
Innovation Solution
The mechanism incorporates a sequence of gears with adjustable tooth counts to reduce output torque and increase tactility, featuring a shaft with sealing means, pressure devices, and a torsion spring, allowing for a gear ratio less than one to enhance the tactile feedback of the shutter release lever.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a direct mechanical linkage is used between the external lever and the shutter release button, then the structure is simple, but the output force is too high relative to input force, making it difficult for users to sense the half press point
Solution Approach 1:
A sequence of gears is introduced as an intermediary mechanism between the external lever and the shutter release button. The gears transmit the input force from the lever while reducing the output force applied to the camera button, allowing users to sense the half press point clearly. The gear sequence acts as a mediator that transforms the force characteristics while maintaining mechanical linkage.
2Ease of operation
If the gear ratio is increased to reduce output force, then tactility is improved, but the mechanism complexity increases and space requirements are not met
Solution Approach 1:
The gear train is segmented into multiple individual gears (first gear, second gear, third gear) with adjustable tooth counts. This segmentation allows for fine-tuning of the overall gear ratio to achieve the desired force reduction while maintaining a compact structure. Each gear can be independently adjusted to optimize the balance between tactility and mechanism complexity.
3Ease of operation
If Da is decreased to increase tactility, then the force ratio Fb/Fa improves, but the stroke length becomes too short and user comfort is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The tooth counts of the gears in the sequence are adjusted as variable parameters to achieve the desired force reduction ratio. By changing the gear parameters (number of teeth) rather than the physical dimensions of the lever, the system achieves improved tactility while maintaining an adequate stroke length for user comfort.
4Ease of operation
If Db is increased to increase tactility, then the force ratio Fb/Fa improves, but the housing size increases and portability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of increasing the physical distance Db, the system uses a sequence of gears to replicate and transform the force transmission. The gears create a virtual mechanical advantage that achieves the same effect as a longer Db without actually increasing the physical dimensions of the housing, thus maintaining portability while improving tactility.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This design improves the tactile feedback of the shutter release mechanism, allowing users to more accurately detect the half press point and reduce accidental picture taking by reducing the output force relative to input force, while maintaining comfortable finger access and suitable stroke length.
Implementation Method 1
A torsion spring is configured so that the lever always returns to the original position after being pressed
Implementation Method 2
sealing means are provided on the shaft to allow in use the shaft to be sealed to the underwater camera housing in a substantially waterproof manner
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The invention resides in an operating mechanism for an underwater camera housing (1). The operating mechanism comprises a shaft (2) adapted to allow in use the shaft (2) to pass through the wall of the underwater camera housing (1). Sealing means (4,5) on the shaft (2) allow in use the shaft (2) to be sealed to the underwater camera housing (1) in a substantially waterproof manner. A first pressure device (6) is mounted on the shaft (2) and positioned in use outside the underwater camera housing (1), and a second pressure device (7) is associated with the shaft (2) and positioned in use within the underwater camera housing (1). A torque adjustment means (10, 11, 15) is provided between the first pressure device (6) and the second pressure device (7) such that in normal use any feel of resistance to movement of the second pressure device (7) is increased when felt on the first pressure device (6).